These are the basics, so if you already know all this, done a lot of it, then congrats! – you are no longer a boudoir beginner! :) And that in itself is a big hurdle because as with anything worth doing, it can be a little daunting in the beginning. We created some steps for those of you beginner boudoir photographers, in hopes that you don’t feel too overwhelmed. I know when I can see my steps listed out in front of me clearly, it can be so much easier to press forward with a large task.
1> YOU MUST BELIEVE ALL WOMEN ARE BEAUTIFUL AND WANT TO SERVE HEARTS THROUGH THE PHOTOGRAPHY PROCESS
We know this is a little intense and perhaps a little “preachy” to put out there as numero uno. But the thing is, if you can’t say “absolutely yes!” to this first one, then there is no point in reading the rest. A boudoir photographer can’t be successful without the desire to serve women with this important belief.
2> You made it to number 2, ah that makes us so happy. Numero dos is PHOTOGRAPHY.
Boudoir Photography. I wish we could say it’s easy, but it’s not. Knowing how to make every woman look gorgeous, and well not just gorgeous, but the MOST gorgeous she thinks she has looked. Ever. You have to know your stuff, you need to study, practice, and then always have a game plan on shoot days. It’s taken us so many years not feel nervous before a boudoir shoot – we had to nail what looked best, and then create recipes. It took us a little bit of trial & error, and lots of practice with models and some willing friends before we felt 100% confident that we knew what posing and lighting is best to flatter a woman & make her look her very best in her boudoir photos. Let’s breakdown how we can tangibly help you.
>>>>RECIPES: We put all of what we’ve learned into products you can buy. I know that sounds like an infomercial, and it’s obvious we are being a little salesy, BUT the thing is we KNOW that these products work. We spent so much time creating them, are so very proud of them, and have seen so many other photographers rise to boudoir bad-ass-ness because they have implemented a lot of what we taught in them. The best way to learn is through our boudoir workshops (PS – LAST ONE for the year is happening in APRIL!) And then we have other products too – visit our shop to see them all (of course I recommend the Boudoir Biz in a Box).
”I just really wanted to send you a long overdue message of thanks. You guys really gave me so much. You gave me the confidence to be me. I have so much more to learn – but you really taught me not to be held back by what the photography society says is ‘correct’. It’s been almost a year and my business has grown in amazing ways. I’m just finishing my busiest season ever – and I’ve already booked a bunch of work for next year! Anyway – I just really wanted to say thanks.” xo, Jennifer Rozenbaum (Jenerations Boudoir, featured on CreativeLive recently.)
>>>>EQUIPMENT: We get so many emails asking us specifically what equipment we use, and it took us a really long time to figure out what we works for us. We compiled not only a list, but a complete, DETAILED boudoir shopping list on Amazon so you can easy purchase what you need. (Be sure to click through all of the tabs – we have camera equipment, lighting equipment, and more!)
>>>> PRACTICE. This is fun part! Once you have studied, & gotten some of the basic on the equipment list, now it’s time to enlist your gal pals and get some boudoir hours in! Don’t let yourself stress during this time – just give yourself some grace and know that you may not come out of the gates as an amazing boudoir champ with no mistakes and no fears (we sure didn’t!) But we clocked a TON of practice hours. The goal is to get comfortable working with women of all shapes and sizes, to figure our what works best for you, and to create a portfolio so you can show the world what you do, and then start booking clients!
3>MARKETING
We could go on and on forever regarding this one. We love branding and marketing for boudoir photography. We cover this topic quite a bit during our boudoir workshop… but for now, here are just a few top tips for all of you who are just getting started with boudoir:
1. Focus on your web presence. Your website is huge (we recommend Showit or BluDomain), then your Facebook page for your business, and perhaps a blog (or use your FB page like a blog). (PS – if you want a cool template for your Showit site, check out Promise Tangeman’s amazing Sitehouse designs like this one!)
2. Get some killer testimonials and put them everywhere. A video testimonial is best! When we started, we photographed our friends and then asked for their honest feedback. We used their responses as our first testimonials.
3. Build a brand. Choose UNIQUE fonts and a unique color palette, and then stick to it! Be recognizable and be consistent.
4. Be careful where you spend your advertising dollars. We tried to not put anything on credit when we were starting up, so choose wisely. We love bridal fairs because they are relatively affordable and then we get to chit chat with potential clients.
4>CREATING VALUE THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CUTE TOUCHES
There are many ways to describe customer service, but one thing is for sure, a biz will tank without it. We aren’t perfect, but we do our best to be personal and create a fun experience that our clients will rave about because we have done small things to help them feel special. We are very friendly, very kind, and we truly CARE about each and every client that comes to our studio. And our clients know that we do! We try to go above and beyond for our clients. One example of that is in the boudoir photo shoot experience, we are their cheerleader, friend, and confidant. The shoot may have been the third one we did that week, maybe we are feeling under the weather, but even on our worst day our client will know that we had the time of our life shooting them.
We try to add value in every way possible. And “value” doesn’t mean it’s a big expense to us. For example, when our clients pick up their boudoir book, they receive a set of bonus wallets that we picked from their book images. It’s affordable and easy for us to order, and it’s a fun little surprise for them!
5>CONSISTENCY
Going back to our “boudoir recipes” for a second, another reason we love creating recipes is because we want to be consistent with every client. Another word for recipes could be ‘systems.’ And our systems make sure that one woman’s experience step-by-step will be the same as her friend’s experience who referred her (not exactly the same – of course if will be unique… but the high level of service will be consistent!!) From the booking procedure to the photo shoot to the viewing and product delivery… the goal of giving your clients stellar service and an amazing experience should be the same for every single person.
6> THE FINANCIALS
Either get a bookkeeper right away, or take a bookkeeping class immediately. When starting I read Quickbooks for Dummies, the whole thing, and it still wasn’t enough. Having a bookkeeper is a big expense every month, but I can tell you that no business can be successful without one. You especially need an accurate profit and loss report every month to make big financial decisions, set goals for your business, and see progress.
6>DETAILS
Cleanliness, friendliness, creativity, fashion-mindedness (made up word), keeping your word, exceeding client expectations, writing personal thank you cards, phone calls instead of emails, cute packaging, personalized touches, yummy candy, bonus little gift products.
Well alrighty photog friends, that is a very brief summary for now with some basic tips on how to get started in boudoir. Above all if you are passionate about this and work you booty off, we know that you will be successful! Boudoir photography is very rewarding, and it has been one of the biggest blessings in our life. We hope the same for you! We would love to see you at our next, and possibly last workshop this April 2013. Click here for more info.
I’m guessing you may have heard us mention our term, “Believe in Beauty.” You have also probably seen many shoots we have done in celebration of this in-house philosophy that we have – with another one of those shoot videos to be debuted very soon! But we wanted to talk for a moment about what the term means to us.
We are so grateful that we get to have a career that allows for us to dream big, to play with concepts and execute them. But while we may be the artists/documenters of these projects and dreams, we are not the creators. We are simply given the amazing privilege to document the beauty all around us that the Lord blesses us all with. We believe he gives us all this beauty in our daily lives as a sweet gift to His children. So the line “Believe in Beauty” is more of a way of giving Him the glory.
In our journey we have been inspired time and time again. Films, photos, writings that make our hearts warm and fuzzy and point to the beauty that we get to be a part of because of God’s love. We believe that it all points, and alludes to, the beauty that is to come in heaven. Here is just one of those pieces that we are inspired by – by Louis Vitton. Click on the image to get warm and fuzzy inspiration nuggets in your belly….
An example of our believing in HIS beauty, is that we know that he made every woman uniquely beautiful. He created us all different, and we are so fortunate to be able to photograph everyday what we (biasly) think is one of his most gorgous and perfect creations: women.
We are so grateful to be able to document HIS beauty. It inspires us to want dream big. To create plans and art pieces that ignite our hearts and others’ hearts so much so that it’s clear that this wasn’t us, that the glory completely goes to God. This is an attitude and posture that we are doing our best to always hold on to throughout the day. I (Marissa) have discovered that the best way to do this is through a prayer I wrote and that I am working to memorize and pray each morning when I wake up and trod around fumbling for my slippers and coffee. We’d like to share it with you if that’s okay ;)
Dear God,
My Provider, My Creator, My King… today I am before you, thankful for my life. I thank you that I have another day to ask for your mercy that is new every morning. I ask for you to fill me with your love. And may I understand just how much you love us — “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (God’s words in Jer 31:3). Help me to understand my worth as a child of God. May I be a symbol of light and hope for you. Let me not grow weary of doing good. I pray that you would bless and protect those around me. May you be my Shield and my Sun (Psalm 84:11). Fill me with the fruit of your Spirit: love, patience, kindness, understanding, strength and wisdom. Place dreams in my heart that only You can fulfill, so that when they come to be… YOU will have all the glory. -Amen
This is what it’s all about. This is why we do what we do. Pinch yourself today, and tell yourself how LUCKY you are, that this is your JOB! Helping women feel beautiful, recognize their unique glamour, and embrace all of these aspects of what it means to be a woman. Have a fabulous weekend! xoxo, K & M
We cannot express how BLESSED we felt while we were in a pasture overlooking the ocean, horses running around us on a beautiful day. The whole team, even our dudes that were helping us were shrieking with delight. We were all overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounded us yesterday. November 3rd will be a day we will all remember the rest of our lives. As we process the images we wanted to leave you with a little teaser of what’s to come….
Thank you so much Kellene, (KellieMae) for not only flying all the way to us to attend our boudoir workshop and have a photo shoot, but then taking the time to write about your experience. Your heartfelt honesty was incredibly touching and I think everyone who reads your story will not only be moved, but also identify with it in some way or another. I am sure you would all agree when I say that when someone is candid and vulnerable with their emotions and experiences, it can be healing for us, the reader, as well. So thank you Kellene for sharing with us.
Here are a few snippets from her blog post …
“I cannot put into words how much this experience has meant to me or has changed the way I feel about myself. For the first time in almost 4 years, I am looking at myself through different eyes, and realizing that I am STILL beautiful. The death of my son robbed me of so many things that I didn’t realize until just recently, and to be able to look at my images and not just see myself as a “failure” is such a weight lifted off my shoulders. God works in incredible ways, and I know that my journey has been preparing me to help other women like myself, who have self-blame, self-doubt, and low self-esteem. I’ve seen the gift I’ve given my clients as I’ve watched them in awe over their own images. I’ve heard them say things like “I’ve never felt that beautiful EVER!” If I can give just one woman hope, then I have done His work.
To now have experienced it for myself, I know what power it truly has on a person. Despite some negative responses I’ve received this week about my line of work, I’m choosing to take the high road. Because frankly, until you’ve experienced what women like myself have, you will never comprehend the power of hope that images like these can give you.”
“So, a HUGE thank you to Denna, and the rest of the FABULOUS Boudoir Divas; for teaching amazing techniques, and above all, for doing His work in changing the lives of women, desperate to find the beauty that God has granted them… because all women are beautiful and all women should celebrate it. The wounds that these images have healed in me are beyond words. I can now look in the mirror and not just see a mother of a dead son, or the scarred up body of a mother who has been through traumatic births, but as the beautiful person I am, DESPITE the journey I’ve been through. I feel empowered and beyond blessed for this experience that God has so graciously bestowed upon me. Cheers and blessings to The Boudoir Divas… you truly are doing the work of His hands!”
We encourage you to take the time to read the full report of her personal account of her workshop and shoot experience on her blog. Kellene, thank you again. You are gorgeous inside and out and you look so radiant in your pics. PS. Your tattoos are HOT! (also another reason to visit her blog, check out those tats ;) )
Heya Bou buddies! We are always amazed and seriously so grateful when we look at our analytics and see how many people are stopping by this blog. Wowzers, thank you for stopping by, even if just for a few minutes! So we feel like we have been posting all the things going on randomly on our blog, facebook and twitter, and if all the chaos is kinda making our head spin, then we wanted to make sure we spelled out exactly what was going in case your head was spinning too. So below we have a list of all the current happenings. We would just love for you to be a part of one, two, three, or heck, all four of these fun, boudoir-inspired activities. And while we are in a “Back to School” mode, we hope that our “zesty-ness” maybe inspires you to do something a little quirky or energetic for YOUR boudoir business. Maybe a fall-inspired boudoir marathon for your clients, styled with boots and sweaters? Maybe a boudoir concept shoot like we talked about a couple months ago? An annual sale? A set make-over? Or maybe it’s time to really push that one product you have been meaning to push more for your clients. Like boudoir gift certificates or beautiful wall art. Whatever it is, just know that we wish you the very best – and we are rooting for you! We want boudoir to be famous all over the planet. (“Boudoir Photographers, Unite!”)
That’s right, as I am sure you heard, we have finally re-launched Boudoir International. And if you sign up by TODAY, you’ll be able to enter to win one of these killer prizes!!! What we love about our contest is that you actually have a pretty darn good chance of winning something! We have so many people emailing and calling the studio asking us if we have a specific recommendation for a boudoir photographers in there area, now we can easily point them in the right direction. Yay! You may have gotten an invitation to join Bou Intl, but if not, don’t be afraid to email us at info@theboudoirdivas.com
We just love that we get to host other photographers in our studio, that together we can have so, so much fun while also helping your boudoir business move to that next level. I think that seeing some of our past attendees just take off after attending our workshops has brought more joy to us than we could imagine. To say we would be delighted for you to make your way out here to spend time in our studio is such an understatement.
And we believe with every fiber in us that it will help your business grow so much. Investing in education and learning is one of the best ways to spend your money when you are building your business! For instance, in 2005 I couldn’t find any boudoir photography workshops, so I (M) attended Vickie Taufer’s children and family workshop. I just wanted to see a huge dream that was realized in action – and that alone was worth more than I could ever have imagined. If Vickie was surprised when I told her (while we were studying light on babies!) that I wanted to shoot boudoir only, she didn’t show it. And just being around her, with all of her enthusiasm and drive, was infectious. I never could have imagingd I/we would fall so in love with boudoir photography, and that our business would see so much success, that we would soon have the opportunity to play that same role for others. Life is amazing, isn’t it?
We are so in love with our Boudoir Workshop – and we would love to have you join us in October! It’s the last workshop for 2012, so go check it out!
Enough said right?! Um…. best photo shoot opportunity ever! We shoot about 4-8 Supermodel Package shoots in our studio a month, but come on, as much as I ADORE our studio, I think this backdrop beats it, hands-down. Our shooting locations are going to be so glorious that I may have some bouts of jealousy of the gals I am shooting – simply because I will want pics of myself in all the spots I place them! :) Nothing is sexier than a sandy beach, with the turquoise blue water shimmering and palm trees waving in the breeze. Oh and I should mention, one of the spots we will be shooting is in Old San Juan, it looks like those cool pics you see of vintage Cuba. Ah!!!! So freaking exciting!
We do have just ONE spot left (all the other 3 have been snatched up!)… so if you are a photographer & want to get in FRONT of the lens for a change, we would be honored with the opportunity to work with you and take your photos with our Caribbean Supermodel session! (Email: info@theboudoirdivas.com if you want more info on this last spot).
We are such Cali girls at heart. Maybe even a little bit more “hippie” than “Diva” in reality. So with that said, beach boudoir photo shoots are pretty much pure excitement and joy for us around here, and being in Cali we have the added perk that our summer lasts a bit longer than the typical summer season. So we are gonna squeeze the summer for every drop we can get out of it! Do you want to join us by booking a killer beach shoot promo? Email us at sdstudio@theboudoirdivas.com
“Paris, Paris, Paris”. That’s what my Mom kept saying in her sweet little voice when we were on the plane to Paris for our 2010 workshop. Now it always rings in my head whenever I start dreaming & planning our next workshops. Have you always wanted to go to Paris? Are you a boudoir photographer? If you said “yes” to both of these, then 2013 is YOUR year! Email us at info@theboudoirdivas.com so we can be sure to email you first as soon as we launch the workshop. (*NOTE: we already have about 40 photographers on the list who want to be notified about Paris… this workshop is gonna fill up FAST! So start looking at your calendar for mid- to late-April 2013, and start dreaming/planning – and then you’ll be able to grab a spot before it fills up!)
Have you seen our past Editorial Concept Shoots that we titled, “Believe in Beauty?” If not, please check out our pirate beach shoot and our hot air balloon dream shoot on you tube. We are now planning for our next big shoot. Watch the video below to see the latest item we checked off our list in preparation for this fun shoot. (Oh, and keep in mind that this video was taken and edited on my iphone). It seems I still have a few quirks to work out when it comes to editing on a telephone – don’t judge us, it’s just for fun. :)
So that’s a little bit of what we are up to right now. We sure hope that you can be a part of at least one of these fun events! And again, as always, thanks so, so, so much for stopping by. xo- M &K
Growing up I was OBSESSED with Disney movies. I know all young girls are, but are they so obsessed that the sound of each epic Disney song can tell them exactly what stage they were at with their own “Walt Disney-inspired dream”? Maybe. I know I sure can! This morning I was feeling very grateful for all that has transpired in the past few years, thinking about how in some ways it truly was Walt Disney that taught me all about “dreaming,” and I think the best way to sum up and celebrate the journey is by sharing our timeline/progress through this series of videos. Hope they make you smile as much they do me.
1. A dream emerges It all starts with that wish your heart makes. And as a child this song gave me permission to dream big. And although we didn’t have little mice friends to help us out along the way, we DID have an amazing team pushing us forward with this dream. We can’t talk about our dreams and our timeline without mentioning the pivotal people who have been a part of the Diva family through the past eight years. We are so thankful for each and every one of you!
2. Getting to work. Although not always whistling, I did often play this song to remind myself that rolling up your sleeves and working very hard can be an enjoyable thing. It’s all about the attitude right? I actually did listen to this song multiple times when I was getting a little pooped.
3. Almost there!
“Getting closer and closer every day and I am almost there, trials and tribulations I have had my share, ain’t nothing gonna stop me now, cuz I am almost there. You gotta make it happen, it all depends on you” – Princess Tiana. When I heard this song the first time, I knew it was just what I needed. We were going through some changes and I could see how things NEEDED to be, but I knew it was going to take a lot more tweaking to get there. So we rolled up our sleeves and made shtuff happen!
4. In awe with gratitude and satisfaction. In so many ways I feel like this is a gratitude hymn or some sweet melody to God. In the past few years this journey has really been a spiritual transformation for myself, and I might be a able to speak for K in saying that is has been for her, too. It wasn’t about getting what we wanted (because I assure you sometimes we didn’t), but more about seeing how God is in control and is always there for you even in the small things, and definitely in the big things. I know K and I are on to new chapters of God’s plan for our lives, and as we discover what this looks like, I know we both really feel as though he has shaped us for new adventures. Yes we are still and always will be photographers and business owners, partners & BFFs, and we will always be working toward our goals and dreams for the Boudoir Divas and bringing boudoir to the masses. But along with all of that, I think we will now ALSO be able to put our focus more on HIS bigger picture. Because we have been able to reach and realize so many of our original dreams for The Boudoir Divas, we are at a place where we have found more freedom – and that freedom is allowing us to dream in new ways. So now, we are thrilled about re-launching “Boudoir Photographers Unite” – and we are also on quite a roll of documenting and helping the marketing aspects of a few different non-profit organizations – which makes our hearts feel alive. We can say we see His plan for us – and we are so grateful. I don’t think I can watch this next video without crying every single time.
We would absolutely LOVE to hear what Disney songs, or just songs in general inspire you. To leave a comment you actually need to click on the blog post header to get you into the post page. It would make my day to hear what songs move you. :) – Marissa
Hi Guys! I know, I know, I saw that our last post was in May and I was like “oh freaking crap” where did the time go!?! Well, if I am honest it went so fast because we were busy. Or, well, having an awesome time. Kimee is a newlywed so I think we all know what she has been up to (tee hee) and I am just kinda loving the freedom that I have these days. We have spent so many years pressed to the grind getting this business exactly where we want it and…. well…. IT IS EXACTLY WHERE WE WANT IT! (Thank you Team Diva, you guys are the shiz) And thank you Lord! Seriously. Thank you because it is by your grace that you have made this possible.
I mean don’t get me wrong, we work. We work a fair amount. But only because we LOVE what we do. And not because we are trying to push this heavy ball (albeit for a time, we were in love with that ball in certain ways) up a hill. We have a well-thought-out BUSINESS MODEL, probably the best team here at the studio anyone could dream of, and we get still get to shoot clients and also play with photography in the capacity that every artist aspires to. If you come to our workshops or speaking events you’ve probably heard us talk about so-called “artistic freedom” quite a bit. But really it’s as simple as this… doing a photo shoot concept that you have visualized simply because for the love of art. Yes, YOU are an ARTIST! And let me tell you what; when you do this, your heart will race while you click that shutter because instead of taking some existing reality or a client’s expectations and trying to mold them into something that’s killer (which is good), you actually get to take your visualized brain child and run with it, have control of it, have fun with it, and showcase it (which is guuuuuh-reat!). This is something we’ve told our past workshop attendees to do for years, and now we’re telling all of you – our blog readers – about it. It’s so amazing.
With our editorial shoots, it’s not about extravagance all the time. It’s mostly about vision, strategy, and control. So yes we have done shoots with hot air balloons and beds hoisted above four guys’ heads who are donning penguin tuxes and top hats. And yes we have lugged a water-logged bed through the ocean pretending to be pirates. But with those instances, we honestly may have spent way more time people- and prop-managing then having the full control and getting exactly what we want. There is a time and a place for extravagance (and maybe for your health’s sake once every other year). With that said, we have done this quite a few times. And I have learned a bit in those shoots. Some good, some, well, not. Since we love to do “Top Ten” countdowns (mainly ‘cuz I will lose focus otherwise lol), in our opinion this is what has worked for us in terms of capturing a more epic photo shoot, take it or leave it ;p …
10. An actress that inspires. Hire a model or a past client that can move. She has to have that look in their eye that makes you smile the whole time you’re behind your lens. Don’t get me wrong, we LOVE shooting REAL women. We shoot over 600 real, normal (non-modely) women every year. But when we do our big concept or editorial shoots we usually use either a pro model, or a friend/past client who we know can work it. We really want someone that is comfortable and needs just a little instruction. Someone who can act as our muse. If you know of someone who can make their eyes sparkle on command, well that is who should be in front of your lens for your editorial photo shoot.
9. Go nuts on the inspiration. Collect your ideas, start an inspiration board, and go all crazy with your dreaming and planning. Then once your brain is stimulated and all its crazy circuits are firing off, chuck the ideas you have collected. Don’t look at them at all and then close your eyes and just dream. What did you love when you were little? Who is your fave fictional character? What scenery are you in love with? What is sexy to you? What grabs your attention? Sketch the ideas (even if it’s crappy stick figures), do a brain dump, draw a ven diagram, do whatever you need to express your thoughts and vision and get it on paper in front of you.
8. Create a color palette that turns you on. Sometimes it’s not about scenery. Sometimes it’s as simple as the color wheel. Pull out your kiddo’s crayola markers and see what colors you like paired together. Then plan her outfit, make-up and scene (even if it’s simple) accordingly. What colors look wrong together? Is it because they are wrong that they really just look so, so right?
7. Put it on the calendar. After you read this post, let’s say you think, “sheesh Louish I think I want to do this.” Go immediately to your calendar, and find a day for a few hours to plan the session. The inspiration, the model, the location, the MUA. Maybe you don’t have a few hours because you have a newborn, or you are like Kimee and you have a new husband who wants to cook you dinner & make you sushi every night… well, then go to your calendar and schedule just 25 mins for the inspiration brainstorm – on 3 different days. No excuses man. Just MSH: make shiz happen. Then also add your epic photo shoot date itself to the calendar. As we always say, if you don’t schedule time to actually take these steps of action… then how is it going to happen?!
6. The location. Choose a location that is interesting, has great lighting, is safe, and not too busy/crowded (remember control is important). If you find a location that gets you all pumped-up visually because it so different than what you normally shoot, then you need to shoot there! Oh and PS, the biz side of my brain has to add to make sure wherever you are shooting is covered by your insurance.
5. Fear and loathing in lighting. Play with a lighting set up that you rarely use and freaks you out. Just because we said you have all the control in this shoot, doesn’t mean we don’t want you to feel a little healthy stress & nervousness. Get out of your comfort zone because that’s what exceptional artists do. Maybe don’t bring the light or reflector, if that’s what you normally do. Or maybe challenge yourself to shoot at a time of day where you don’t have all the settings memorized. Remember that you don’t have client expectations to meet here, because you are shooting for YOU. So if it all goes to crap you can laugh about it later.
4. Act like a boss. Hire (or get a starry eyed new photographer) to be your assistant. Because when you lock in your sights on that one shot that makes your heart race and then “fill in the blank” tips over and you miss that shot, well, trust me – you will kick yourself for not having an assistant to pick it up right in the nick of time! Even if an assistant costs you somewhere around $80-$150 bucks, it’s worth it. BUT!!! Make sure you are comfortable bossing them around. I am a pretty good employer, but when I lock in my sights on an image that makes me want to pee my pants it’s so good… I act like a boss. I act like the damn boss’ boss, and I boss people around (with a friendly “please” thrown in at the end, of course). Because beautiful/picturesque/wacky art means the world to me.
3. Beautiful/picturesque/wacky art. While shooting, pretend you are tipsy. Also pretend you are allergic to shooting the “correct” way you always do. I get my best shots when I pretend I am incapable of getting my typical “go-to” shot. Step out of your “norm” – force yourself to try a new style of shooting, and see what happens!
2. Processing. This isn’t a wedding. These aren’t proofs. You don’t need a folder of 200 beautiful images that overwhelm you so much that you either a) do nothing with them or b) create a slideshow no one will watch to the end of because it lasts 3.23 hours.
Go through and find the top 10 images from the shoot. Do a first cut, then a second cut – and for that last cut, pretend you are the editor of Vogue looking at a new photographer’s shots. Be cut-throat. Be brutal. Only choose the best of the best. Then take those TOP 10 images and edit each one 3 different ways (we use Lightroom and create virtual copies), and finally, export them. Then come back on another day with a fresh eye. From those 30 images (3 copies of each, of your top 10 pics) that you exported, chose 1 from each of the 3 duplicates. Then airbrush and sharpen (right now we are in love with Kubota Magic Sharp). That’s what we do for our editorial shoots, and it works well for us. It gives us a chance to process our images differently than we would for a normal client.
1. Artists deserve a gallery showcase. We haven’t had the privilege of having a gallery showcase… yet. That might come when we are like 50 and can hold our own against Annie Leibovitz. But for now we make our own showcase through our blog, twitter, and Facebook. Then we get a huge, gorgeous canvas of our FAVORITE image from Bay Photo for the studio. This is a must. And THEN, we also order a beautiful portfolio book from Graphistudio to show off at our bridal fairs and display in our lobby/boutique. Because while this shoot was done for the love of what we do, the icing on the cake is the fact that it will get other people excited about us and our work. A bonus is that it will generate more hype (and more clients!) than we could’ve imagined. Art for the sake of celebrating beauty – that just happens to also create an income…. well that, my friends, is the good life. And we are so, so grateful.
The Challenge. Now we challenge you! Are you in? Comment below and tell us the dates of your planning sessions and shoots below, and link to your blog so we can all keep each other accountable! (you don’t have to share what you’re planning, cause we know you aren’t gonna spill the beans on your concept ;).
Here are a few from our last concept/editorial session…
And here are some images from a couple previous editorial shoots….
Happy Friday! xoxo- M & K
